The Battle of Zama: Scipio vs Hannibal and Rome's Final Victory

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the climactic Battle of Zama (202 BCE), where Scipio Africanus finally defeated Hannibal Barca and ended the Second Punic War. They discuss the strategic buildup, the unusual meeting between the two generals before the battle, and how Scipio adapted Hannibal's own tactics—including the use of the maniple system and Numidian cavalry. The conversation also touches on the political aftermath: Hannibal's exile and eventual suicide, Scipio's later fall from grace, and how Carthage was reduced to a client state before its final destruction fifty years later. Along the way, they consider the sources—Polybius and Livy—and what they reveal about Roman memory and myth-making. The episode also features a brief interlude on the show's ad-free philosophy, supported by listener donations. #BattleOfZama #ScipioAfricanus #HannibalBarca #SecondPunicWar #AncientRome #Carthage #NumidianCavalry #Polybius #Livy #AncientWarfare #RomanRepublic #Masinissa #Hasdrubal #PeaceTreaty #Exile #History #FexingoHistory #MilitaryHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo